‘Majority unclear on retirement savings’

Only 22% of people are clear about how much money they need to save and for how long, in order to fund the kind of retirement they aspire to.

Only 22% of people are clear about how much money they need to save and for how long, in order to fund the kind of retirement they aspire to.

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SIMON BAIN

That is according to a YouGov poll carried out for Financial Planning Week.

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A series of polls for the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP), in association with National Savings & Investments (NS&I), found most people were more careful with their money now than a year ago.

The majority of respondents, and especially women and the middle-aged, were worried about their financial prospects in 2011, and almost 30% were reluctant to take financial advice.

The cost of advice is an issue for 38% of those in the 25-34 age bracket compared with 22% of those aged over 55. A lack of trust or confidence in the adviser is also a factor, with 18% of respondents overall citing it as an obstacle.

Nick Cann, chief executive of the IFP, said: “Proper financial planning should be a given to help people secure a comfortable retirement.

“Tools such as the pensions checker on our website will help people work out the size of the capital sum that they need to acquire in order to fund the comfortable retirement that they aspire to. I would, however, warn people to be prepared for a shock.”

He added: “I hope that during Financial Planning Week we have been able to inspire some people to take some action that will help make a difference to their lives in future.”

Alan Dick, principal of Forty-Two Wealth Management in Glasgow and organiser of the event , said: “I can see it making a difference – it is not a groundswell yet but it gradually starts to spread the message.”

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